Celine Dion Used Movie To Explain René's Death To 5-YO Sons

Celine Dion has opened up about the aftermath of her husband's death, admitting that she struggled to explain his absence to her five-year-old boys.

The twins' father, René Angélil, passed away in January this year after a difficult battle with throat cancer and while the couple's 15-year-old son, René-Charles, understood, Celine had to find a kid-friendly way of helping Eddy and Nelson through their confusion.

"I asked for some books for children to help me to how to guide them through this," the singer told Katie Couric in a recent interview. "And it kind of, like, shook me up so much.

"It was not my way of wanting to talk to my children."

Instead, the 48-year-old explained, a much-loved Disney movie allowed the boys to begin to come to terms with their father's death.

"Up saved my life," Celine continued. "I said, 'What is the movie that Ellie died in?' and they said 'Ellie died in the movie Up, Mum.'

"I said, 'That's it. Ellie,' I said. 'Well, I want you to now listen to me.'

"I said, 'Papa is now with Ellie.'"

Shortly after René's death, Celine thanked fans for the support they had offered her family over the course of her husband's illness.

"We thank from the bottom of my heart all the people who have expressed their love for René during these challenging times," the emotional statement read.

"Your testimony and your support helped us, more than you can imagine to get to this stage and to make him our good-byes."